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Developing and testing a process to increase and secure the quality of grass silage production (Q2Gras)
Project
Project code: EIP-Agri-BR-2017-LPTPG01
Contract period: 01.01.2017
- 31.12.2019
Budget: 516,683 Euro
Purpose of research: Applied research
Keywords: farming practice/activity, animal husbandry, plant production and horticulture, product/service
A high feed quality of grass silage is prerequisite for high animal performance, animal health and low feed costs. Long-term analyses show considerable quality problems with grass silage. The aim of the project is to provide prototypes of software tools to improve the quality of grass silage and increase the profitability of dairy cattle farming. Based on research results, two dynamic software prognosis models are to be tested and further developed together with farms in Brandenburg. This is intended to allow a direct adaptation of the process sequences of ensiling as well as improvement of the grassland swards delivering the material to be ensiled. The first tool will be able to predict the time for achievement of optimal dry matter content for a defined area of the field after mowing to create conditions suitable for ensiling. The second tool will be capable of predicting the future silage quality at an early stage of conservation. The innovation is that a standardized software prognostic tool enables the farmer to exploit unused optimization potential of the grassland during the current management year, thereby reducing feed costs for dairy cattle farming.
Section overview
Subjects
- Animal Husbandry
- Animal nutrition
- Computer science